This past September, I participated in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
I met so many wonderful people, and had such a positive experience, that I'm going to do it again in 2006!

To see my photos from the 2005 Weekend, click on any of the pictures below.

What is the Weekend to End Breast Cancer?

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer is a two-day, 60-kilometre walk through the neighbourhoods of Toronto. Proceeds benefit Princess Margaret Hospital, funding important breast cancer research, education, services and care.

I'm walking for breast cancer survivors everywhere, and for all women, in the hope that we will be able to defeat breast cancer.

For the 2005 Weekend I raised $2,100 and, together with 4888 other walkers, raised a total $16 million for this worthy challenge.

What, or who, inspired me to do the walk?

Since the summer of 2000, I've been involved in dragon-boat racing, through Great White North. 2006 will be my sixth year of dragonboating. It's so thrilling to be on the water with 19 other souls, all paddling to the same drum-beat.

The highlight of our season is usually the second weekend in September, when hundreds of dragon-boat crews race at Ontario Place. It's a great event to participate in, and to watch as well. It's also a fundraiser. For the first two years that I raced at Ontario Place, the charity was the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

And that's when I first encountered a team of breast cancer survivors, called the Dragons Abreast. I still remember fondly that team of women warming up next to us before their race, to Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman." Their goal is to help others realize that it is possible to enjoy a phyically active life after breast cancer. And I think they're doing a great job.

As it turned out, there were actually six teams of breast cancer survivors, and the following year featured a special race just for these teams. At the end of that race, they gathered together and scattered pink flower petals onto the water, in honour of those who have struggled with breast cancer, and those who have died. It was a special moment. And I will remember it always.

That's why last year I decided to pick up my water bottle and my hiking shoes, and walk 60 kilometres to help end breast cancer. And this year I'm going to do it again!

How you can help

You can choose to get involved in many ways:

• You can learn more about breast cancer - how to detect it, and what is being done to fight it.
• You can wear a pink ribbon or wristband, to provide awareness and to encourage others to help cure breast cancer
• You can participate in the walk, as a walker, a crew member, or a volunteer
• You can come out to the Weekend and cheer on some of the walkers, or even walk with us for awhile
• You can join me or another walker on a training walk
• You can come out to a fundraising event, such as a car wash, and help us raise funds and awareness for the Weekend
• You can sponsor me or another walker or crew member
• You can spread the word!

Click here to sponsor me for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer 2006!

Email me to join my team of walkers, or to offer support in other ways.

What I'm doing this year...

I'm selling bracelets, in pink and other colours
I'm selling pink-ribbon merchandise, such as car magnets
I'm selling chocolate covered almonds
I'm organizing some team fundraising events, such as car washes and tag days
I'm encouraging my friends and family to get involved, both before and during the walk
I'm having lots of fun!!!!!

Related links...

Here's the official website, if you'd like more information about the walk
The Weekend to End Breast Cancer 2006

Proceeds of the Toronto walk go to Princess Margaret Hospital, and to the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research in particular.

Ladies, don't forget to do your monthly Breast Self-Exam!
Gentlemen, don't forget to do your monthly Testicular Self-Exam!
Please also support the Breast Cancer Site by clicking daily to fund free mammograms.
And pass it on to encourage others to help cure breast cancer!

With love and hope,
Georgina.

Please feel free to Sign or View my Weekend 2006 guestbook!


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Page created on: March 3, 2006.
Last updated on: March 11, 2006.